The club house at the Delamere Park estate, Cuddington, was burned to the ground in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday), despite the efforts of 30 firefighters.

Kingsley Community Centre had been seriously damaged the previous Saturday by a fire believed to have been started by arsonists.

Fire brigade officials and police believe the Delamere Park centre blaze was accidental, probably caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette, and that the two similar early-morning blazes are a coincidence.

Residents of the 400-house upmarket Park estate all pay fees towards the Delamere Park centre, which was well used because of the relative isolation of the complex.

The club house, in Delamere Park Way West, is believed to have been insured which should hopefully cover the cost of rebuilding the facility, which featured a swimming pool, squash courts and bar.

Resident Sam Sloan, who lives at The Cobbles, said: 'It's a sad day. I hope it's insured. We could never raise the cash to rebuild it.

'All the residents use the facility because we are fairly isolated. There are 400 houses on Delamere Park. We all pay a fee for maintenance. It's run by trustees. There are other clubs that meet there like the garden club and other residents' clubs. There are quiz nights and so on.'

Mr Sloan said wooden tiles on the roof and on top of the brick walls had led to the rapid spread of the fire which he said was watched by a crowd of residents.

Flames could be seen leaping from the roof, which eventually collapsed into the swimming pool.

He confirmed that the area does not suffer from vandalism problems.

'I certainly hope it wasn't deliberate,' he said. ' The cause is not yet known as far as I am aware.'

He said staff normally locked the club between 11.30pm and midnight.

He thinks the police were called to the building and requested the fire service after seeing smoke.

Six fire engines were dispatched from Frodsham, Northwich, Winsford and Chester, along with a hydraulic platform, which was able to fight the fire from above.

Six jets were also used by firefighters, who were unable to enter the building due to the danger of a collapse.

Firefighter Andy Spencer of Chester Fire Station confirmed the timber-clad nature of the building, which measures about 75 metres by 75 metres, led to the rapid spread of fire.

'The fire was going so well it could be seen for miles,' he said.

There were no injuries to members of the public or firefighters.

Station Officer Ben Bellis said police were called to the scene after a movement sensor-type burglar alarm, linked to a control room, was set off probably by smoke or, more likely, falling debris. Police who met up with the key holder at the site to investigate a suspected break-in were met by a wall of smoke on opening the door. They immediately called the fire service.

The fire investigator said police found no signs of a forced entry and his team were looking at a number of causes such as discarded cigarettes or faults with the heating or electrical systemS.

He added: 'We don't suspect foul play. We are looking at it probably being an accident but the investigation has not been concluded yet.'

Kingsley Community Centre will be out of action for several months.

The village drama group lost hundreds of costumes stored at the centre and lighting provided with the help of #26,000 lottery MONEY.